Plans for new Asda store in Northamptonshire could be approved tonight

Stephanie Weaver

Plans for a new foodstore on the outskirts of Raunds will be considered by councillors tonight (Wednesday).

Planning officers have recommended that the proposals for a new Asda store at Warth Park just off the A45 at Raunds are approved subject to a number of conditions.

Warth Park in Raunds

If planning permission is given, it would be a 24-hour foodstore with a petrol filling station, jet wash, customer car park, service yard and associated landscaping.

Access would be from the western side of the site via Warth Park Way and the London Road roundabout.

The new store falls within phase two of the business park development, which could also see a KFC restaurant open nearby.

A number of organisations including Raunds Town Council, the county council and Northamptonshire Highways have commented on the proposals, while Ringstead Parish Council and the Environment Agency have raised objections to the plans by Roxhill Developments Ltd.

Extracts of a letter from the developer and included in the report due to be considered by councillors tonight state: “Once approved and completed, the 10,000 sq ft supermarket will provide Raunds with a much needed facility, which will eliminate the need for residents to travel to other towns such as Wellingborough or Kettering to do their shopping.

“Plans for the adjacent KFC will also be submitted shortly, and together, both businesses will create additional jobs for the area, which could total around 60.

“This in addition to the 500 jobs already created by the development, with companies including DPD, Dr Martens and DVS.

“The large Howden’s Joinery unit is under construction and will be completed later this year.

“Other potential ideas for the remainder of the front part of the site are still under discussion.

“We are currently designing a hotel, and are continuing to market the scheme to hotel operators.”

Members of East Northants Council’s planning management committee will discuss the foodstore plans at a meeting starting at 7pm at the council’s offices in Cedar Drive, Thrapston, tonight.